The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-11-13
SOLDIERS IN PEACE.
Behind the Parapets and in
the Barracks.
A WEARY BOUND OF DUTIES
The Standing Army OF the United
statss-ROutinS and Discipline OF
Life at Various Posts,

forts and military stations Throughout
the country is as sealed book. Tn,
laws and regulations governing the
army, however, are clearly defined anG
comprehensive, and many OF them
have remained unchanged since the
founding Of the government. Like all
of Gaul, the geographical limits of
military jurisdiction are divided into
three parts, known as the military
divisions of the Atlantic. the Missouri
and Pacific, each commanded by a
Major of the army. These
grand divisions comprise the whole
territory of the country. The
division hesdquarters are at Gov
errors Island, Chicago and San
Francisco, respectively. The army
consists of twenty-five regiments of in
family, ten of cavalry and fiVelof artillery,
battalion of engineers. consisting of
four companies, and a detachment of
ordnance. The Ninth and Tenth regi-
ments of cavalry and the Twenty fourth
and Twenty fifth regiments of infantry
are colored soldiers. These regiments
are in all respects on the same military
| footing as all others. The non-com-
missioned officers are selected and pro-
| NOTED from the ranks of their own
regiments, and the commissioned Of
6cers are assigned to the regiments as
vacancies occur. Each colored regi-
ment has chaplain.
A detailed description OF
THE DUTIES OF SOLDIERS,
even in peace times. would require too
much time aud space, but general idea
of the general routine will correct the
erroneous impression, so generally en-
tertained, that soldiers life is one OF
idleness. Reveille is sounded at or near
sunrise, the exact time varying some
what at different posts. At the first note
the. garrison flag is hoisted. All SOL
diers on duty must turn out in ranks
at this and all other roll calls. Drill
for an hour or more follows soon after,
at time fixed by the commanding
officer. The ceremony of guard mount
ing takes place at 8 o'clock; fatigue call
which Intervenes not being, of course,
call for duty when such men, consist
ing of the old guard and others desig-
mated, in turn perform the necessary
fatigue and police duty of the post. at
II o'clock first sergeants' call is
sounded, when these functionaries re-
pair to the adjutant's Office for the per
fecting OF the rolls of the sergeant
major, thus enabling him to keep his
roster correctly, aud also to receive
such information and instructions as
may be necessary concerning their
troops, batteries or companies. Dinner
is at noon. At an hour designated by
the post commander, afternoon drill
call is sounded, when the troops exer-
else in such man9uVres as are pre-
scribed. Dress parade usually takes
place just before sunset, and is so timed
that retreat is sounded just after the
troop beats off" during that cere-
mony. The flag is lowered at the last
note of retreat. Supper soon follows
o'clack, taps of lights out half an hour
later. While attendance at religious
ceremonies is not compulsory in the
army. many of the men attend divine
service at those posts, of which there
are thirty-tour that have chaplains,
and more observance is given to the day
than was the case in former years.
MEN ARE DETAILED FOR GUARD DUTY
with such frequency as the strength of
the force at the post where they are
stationed renders necessary. There are
three reliefs of prescribed number of |
men, with one corporal to each relief |
and one sergeant of the guard. Two |
hours on one post aRd four hours off, |
during the tour of twenty-four hours,
is the unvarying routine. Each sentinel |
who is lieutenant, under the authority
of the officer of the day, ito take
charge of this post and all government
in view; salute all officers &C
cording to rank" in case of fire alarm
I've guard and such other orders as are
deemed necessary are given. The order
is given to the sentry on No. to turn
officers, the commanding officer,
the officer of the day and for
all armed parties" ANY breach of
discipline while on guard is an aggrava-
ton of the offense, and 1t behooyes the
soldier to have his wits about him and
to attend strictly to duty during his
tour. Guard duty is. like the reading
Of the Koran, an endless task.
Our military posts are In many in
stances isolated communities in them
selves, and in many respects as differ
snt from civilian settlements or villages
IS can WSlL DC 1udSlucus 4uor6 are |
post schools at which enlisted soldiers
ian, If so disposed, pick up fair COM
non school education during one term
If enlistment. The subject of compul-
Iory education in the army has been ,
discussed of late, and so
accomplished an officer as Brevet Major.
General James B. Fry has given 1t as ,
lis opinion that enlisted men should
lot be compelled against their wills to :
Ittend post schools, About ten years
Igo James a. Garfield and Robert i
;chenck. while serving on the Com !
nittee on Military Affairs in the House t
Il Representatives, prepared 8 clause !
u the Revised Statutes, section 1241, !
which afterward became law. and !
which is as follows. =
schools shall be established at all !
,osts, garrisons, or permanent camps, {
4 which the enlisted men may be in =
tructed in the common English :
branches of education, and especially :
q the history of the United States; I
md the Secretary of War may detail :
UGH officers and enlisted men as may :
We necessary to carry out this provision, q